Shower body drying apparatus

ABSTRACT

A body drying apparatus for attachment to bathroom fixtures, shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, for drying the entire body or parts thereof, having a housing with air inlet openings and air discharge apertures. One or more fans are positioned within the housing unit. One or more adjustable retaining and positioning rods are attached to the housing, and at the other end to a shower rod, shower door, or other bathroom by a slidably positionable attachment mechanism. A power source is connected to the one or more fans within the housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to drying apparatuses and more particularly to a shower drying apparatus that is used in a shower or bathroom for drying the entire body without using towels or other drying cloths, and thereby eliminates the need for towels in bathrooms.

Background Art

Various apparatuses for drying the hands consisting of a fan and heating element have been proposed and implemented for both bathrooms and public restrooms, for example. Such apparatuses eliminate the need for hand towels and receptacles, and workers to replenish the towel dispensers and take away the soiled towels. It is also well known to use a hand held dryer, such as a hair dryer which use a small fan which drives ambient air through an electric heating coil.

Other apparatuses have been proposed and implemented for drying cloths, hand, and hair. However, no apparatuses are known to applicant that are able to be used within a shower to dry the entire body or parts of the body without leaving the shower or shower stall.

Although prior apparatuses have been adapted and used for various drying purposes, there exists a need for a apparatus which can be used within the shower or shower stall, to dry the entire body or parts thereof, and which is easy to place or install in the shower. The present invention provides such an apparatus which is also usable with any shower or bathing space, is highly effective and further eliminates the need to use towels for drying the body.

Accordingly a primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable body drying apparatus for attachment to bathroom fixtures, shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, for drying the entire body or parts thereof. The shower body drying apparatus may be used in any type of shower, shower space, shower stall, shower door or bathroom fixture and may be placed and used strategically in a bathroom for drying the entire body.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a shower drying apparatus that may be provided in various or size and strengths, and which is easy to install, use, and remove, if desired from the shower or bathroom space.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a shower drying apparatus that does not interfere with the normal usage of the shower or bathroom, and may be provided in a variety of sizes, configurations, and styles.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A body drying apparatus for attachment to bathroom fixtures, shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, for drying the entire body or parts thereof, having a housing with air inlet opening and air discharge apertures. One or more fans are positioned within the housing unit. One or more adjustable retaining and positioning rods are attached at each end to the housing, and at the other end to a shower rod, shower door, or other bathroom fixture by a slidably positionable attachment mechanism. A power source is connected to the one or more fans within the housing. In one embodiment the one or more fans are turbo bilge pump fans providing unique airflow characteristics to the unit. In an embodiment of the invention an adjustable retaining and positioning rod has a first arm being attached at one end to the shower rod and a second arm being attached to housing element. The adjustable retaining and positioning rod has a tightening and locking mechanism for positioning and securing the first arm and the second arm in a desired position, allowing positioning and adjustment of housing element. In another embodiment two adjustable retaining and positioning rods are attached at each end to the housing, and at the other end to a shower rod, shower door, or other bathroom by a slidably positionable attachment. In one embodiment the one or more fans operably positioned within the housing element are powered by one or more batteries, or alternatively are powered by an electric cord operably linked to the one or more fans and to a power source. Heating units are operably positioned within the housing element and operably linked to a power source. The housing element may also include a control switch for the one or more fans, and a control switch for the one or more heating units for temperature control of air discharged from the housing element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with a general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a body drying apparatus for attachment to bathroom fixtures, shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, for drying the entire body or parts thereof, according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the body drying apparatus for attachment to bathroom fixtures, shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, for drying the entire body or parts thereof, with an slidably positionable attachment mechanism and adjustable rod tightening mechanism, according to the invention.

FIG. 3, shows a body drying apparatus for attachment to bathroom fixtures, shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, for drying the entire body or parts with heater units, and batteries shown, according to the invention.

FIG. 4, shows a fan and heat control panel for the body drying apparatus for attachment to bathroom fixtures, shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, for drying the entire body or parts thereof, according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention a shower drying apparatus, for drying the entire body or parts thereof, comprising a housing element, having a first end and a second end. The housing element has an air inlet opening and a plurality of air discharge apertures. One or more fans are operably positioned within the housing unit and a first adjustable retaining and positioning rod being attached to the first end of the housing element, and a second adjustable retaining rod is attached to the second end of the housing element. The first adjustable retaining and positioning rod is secured at a second end to the shower rod by a slidably positioned attachment mechanism and the second adjustable retaining and positioning rod is secured at a second end to a slidably positioned second attachment mechanism. A power source is operably connected to the one or plurality or fans. Preferably, the one or plurality of fans are turbo bilge pump fans, but may be conventional fan units or otherwise. The first and the second adjustable retaining and positioning rods have a first arm being attached at one end to the shower rod and a second arm being attached to the housing element. In a preferred embodiment, the first and the second adjustable retaining and positioning rods have a tightening and locking mechanism for positioning and securing the first arm and the second arm in a desired position, thereby allowing positioning and adjustment of the housing element. The one or more fans are operably positioned within the housing element are powered by one or more batteries, or alternatively from a power source with a power cord operably connected to the fans. The shower drying apparatus may also have one or more heating units operably positioned within the housing element and operably linked to a power source, preferably a wall socket for heating the air blown out from the fans. The shower drying apparatus also further includes a control switch for the one or more fans, and the one or more heating units are operably linked to a control switch allowing for temperature control of air discharged. The shower drying apparatus housing may be composed of selected durable, resilient, moldable and impressionable materials such as plastic, thermoplastic, composites, silicone, silicon rubber, elastomers, polysulfides. polyester, polyurethane, plastic, foam, or neoprene, for example.

In FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, namely, shower drying apparatus 10, for controlled drying of the entire body or parts thereof, for attachment to bathroom fixtures 30, such as shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, comprises a housing element 12, having a first end 14, and a second end 16. The housing element has an air inlet opening 18, and a plurality of air discharge apertures 20. One or more fans 22, are operably positioned within housing element 12, and may be provided with fan casing or housing 23. A first adjustable retaining and positioning rod 24, is preferably attached to first end 14, of housing element 12. A second adjustable retaining rod 26, is attached to second end 16, of housing element 12.

As seen in FIG. 1, first adjustable retaining and positioning rod 24, is secured at a second end 28, to shower rod or fixture 30, by a slidably positioned attachment mechanism 32, which may be tightened to the shower rod or fixture by screws or bolts 33, and the second adjustable retaining and positioning rod 26, is secured at a second end 34, to a slidably positioned second attachment mechanism 36, where bolts, screws or other fasteners 33. A power source 38, which may be one or more batteries 40, operably connected to the one or plurality of fans 22, or alternatively the fans may be linked to a electric power source by cord 42.

In a preferred embodiment the one or plurality of fans 22, are turbo bilge pump fans, which provide a unique and highly effective drying mechanism. However, in other embodiments conventional fans may be used.

The first adjustable retaining and positioning rod 24, has a first arm 44, is attached at one end to the shower rod 30, with slidably positionable attachment mechanism 32, by bolts, screws or other fasteners 33, and a second arm 46, being attached to housing element 12. The second adjustable retaining and positioning rods 26, with first end 48, is secured at the end 34, thereof to the shower rod or bathroom fixture 30, with slidably positionable attachment mechanism 32, by bolts, screws or other fasteners 33, and a second arm 50, being attached to housing element 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and the second adjustable retaining and positioning rods 24 and 26, have a tightening and locking mechanism 52, for positioning and securing the first arm and the second arm, of the first and the second adjustable retaining and positioning rods and 26, in a desired position, thereby allowing positioning and adjustment of the housing element 12.

In a preferred embodiment, fans 22, are powered from an electric power source 38, and simply plugged into an electric outlet by wire or cord 42, or powered by one or more batteries 40.

In FIG. 1, it is also seen how a heater unit 41, may be positioned and used in housing element 12, to and operably connected to a power source by wire or cord 38, and to a control panel, best seen in FIG. 4, where a heat control button 62, a fan control button 64, and an on/off switch 66, are provided in an easily accessible location.

With reference now to FIG. 2, another preferred embodiment of a shower drying apparatus 10, for drying a body or parts thereof, for attachment to bathroom fixtures 30, such as shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, is shown according to the invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a single adjustable retaining and positioning rod 24, is secured at a second end 28, to shower rod or fixture 30, by a slidably positioned attachment mechanism 32, which may be tightened to the shower rod or fixture by screws or bolts 33. In FIG. 2, first adjustable retaining and positioning rod 24, has a first arm 44, is attached at one end to the shower rod 30, with slidably positionable attachment mechanism 32, by bolts, screws or other fasteners 33, and a second arm 46, being attached to housing element 12.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, where the a single adjustable retaining and positioning arm 24, is used to position and secure housing element 12, the slidably positioned attachment mechanism 32, may be configured as a curved casing with apertures 33 to position and secure screws or bolts 33. Of course this same configuration may be used in embodiments where two adjustable retaining and positioning arms are used as well.

In FIG. 2, tightening and locking mechanism 52, is shown with tightening nut or bolt 51, so that the first arm 44 and second arm 46, of adjustable retaining and positioning arm 24, may be secured in a desired position relative to each other, and thereby to position the housing element 12, in a chosen position and orientation.

In FIG. 3, housing 12, of shower drying apparatus 10, for drying a body or parts thereof, for attachment to bathroom fixtures such as shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, for drying the entire body or parts thereof, is shown with fans 22 batteries 40 and heater units 41. In FIG. 3, shower drying apparatus 10, is shown without the first or second adjustable retaining rods 24 and 26. Although it is within the scope of the invention and contemplated herein, it is possible to provide the shower drying apparatus without the adjustable retaining rods 24 and 26, and just attach housing element 12, to a wall or fixture by attachment mechanisms such as suction cups, rings, hooks, or the like. However, this limits the ability of the user to position and adjust the location and orientation of housing element 12, and thus fans 22.

In FIG. 4, a control panel 60, is shown with control buttons 62 for temperature control, a fan control button 64, and an on/off switch 66. Cord or wires 38, operably link 62, 64, and 66, to the heat units, fans, and power source. Control panel 60, may be positioned on housing element 12, or integral therewith.

In operation and use, and as seen in FIGS. 1-4, the one or more fans 22, are operably positioned within the housing element 12, are powered, from a power source with a power cord operably connected to the fans or alternatively by one or more batteries. The shower drying apparatus may also have one or more heating units operably positioned within the housing element and operably linked to a power source, for heating the air blown out form the fans. The shower drying apparatus also further includes a control switch or switches for the one or more fans, and the one or more heating units are operably linked to a control switch allowing for temperature control of air discharged. The shower drying apparatus housing may be composed of selected durable, resilient, moldable and impressionable materials such as plastic, thermoplastic, composites, silicone, silicon rubber, elastomers, polyester, polyurethane, plastic, foam, or neoprene, for example. In a preferred embodiment, housing unit 12, is approximately 3 feet long and 5-6 inches in width, however, various sizes and configurations may be used and provide as desired. Accordingly, the shower drying apparatus 10, described herein, for controlled drying of the entire body or parts thereof, for attachment to bathroom fixtures 30, such as shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, is both highly effective, enjoyable, and eliminates the need for towels in shower rooms.

Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shower drying apparatus, for drying the entire body or parts thereof, comprising: a housing element, having a first end and a second end, said housing element having an air inlet opening and a plurality of air discharge apertures; one or more fans operably positioned within said housing unit; a first adjustable retaining and positioning rod being attached to said first end of said housing element, and a second adjustable retaining rod is attached to said second end of said housing element, said first adjustable retaining and positioning rod is secured at a second end to a shower rod by a slidably positioned attachment mechanism and said second adjustable retaining and positioning rod is secured at a second end to said shower rod by a slidably positioned second attachment mechanism, and a power source operably connected to said one or more fans.
 2. The shower drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more fans are turbo bilge pump fans.
 3. The shower drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and said second adjustable retaining and positioning rods have a first arm being attached at one end to said shower rod and a second arm being attached to said housing element.
 4. The shower drying apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first and said second adjustable retaining and positioning rods have a tightening and locking mechanism for positioning and securing said first arm and said second arm of said first adjustable retaining and positioning rod rod and said second adjustable retaining and positioning rod in a desired position, thereby allowing positioning and adjustment of said housing element.
 5. The shower drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more fans operably positioned within said housing element are powered by one or more batteries.
 6. The shower drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more fans operably positioned within said housing element are powered by an electric cord operably linked to said one or more fans.
 7. The shower drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more heating units are operably positioned within said housing element and operably linked to a power source.
 8. The shower drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing element further includes a control switch for said one or more fans.
 9. The shower drying apparatus of claim, wherein one or more heating units are operably linked to a control switch allowing for temperature control of air discharged from said housing element.
 10. A body drying apparatus for attachment to shower curtain rods or shower doors, for drying the entire body or parts thereof, comprising: a housing, said housing unit having air inlet opening and air discharge apertures; one or more fans operably positioned within said housing unit; an adjustable retaining and positioning rod being attached at one end to said housing, and at the other end to said shower rod or shower door by a slidably positionable attachment mechanism; and a power source operably connected to said one or more fans.
 11. The body drying apparatus for attachment to shower curtain rods or shower doors of claim 10, wherein said one or more fans are turbo bilge pump fans.
 12. The body drying apparatus for attachment to shower curtain rods or shower doors of claim 10, wherein said adjustable retaining and positioning rod has a first arm being attached at one end to said shower rod and a second arm being attached to said housing element.
 13. The body drying apparatus for attachment to shower curtain rods or shower doors of claim 10, wherein said adjustable retaining and positioning rod has a tightening and locking mechanism for positioning and securing said first arm and said second arm in a desired position, thereby allowing positioning and adjustment of said housing element.
 14. The body drying apparatus for attachment to shower curtain rods or shower doors of claim 10, wherein said one or more fans operably positioned within said housing element are powered by one or more batteries.
 15. The body drying apparatus for attachment to shower curtain rods or shower doors of claim 10, wherein said one or more fans operably positioned within said housing element are powered by an electric cord operably linked to said one or more fans.
 16. The body drying apparatus of claim 10, wherein said one or more heating units are operably positioned within said housing element and operably linked to a power source.
 17. The body drying apparatus of claim 10, wherein said housing element further includes a control switch for said one or more fans
 18. A body drying apparatus for attachment to bathroom fixtures, shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors, for drying the entire body or parts thereof, and eliminating the need for towels, comprising: a housing, said housing unit having air inlet opening and air discharge apertures; one or more fans operably positioned within said housing unit, and one or more heating units are operably positioned within said housing element and operably positioned in proximity to said one or more fans; an adjustable retaining and positioning rod being attached at one end to said housing, and at the other end to said shower rod or shower door by a slidably positionable attachment mechanism; and a power source operably connected to said one or more fans and to said one or more heating units.
 19. The body drying apparatus for attachment to bathroom fixtures, shower rods, shower curtain rods, or shower doors of claim 18, wherein said one or more fans are turbo bilge pump fans. 